Australia’s aged care sector has been in the red for a decade, with more than half of homes losing money. Stuart Hutcheon, Managing Partner at StewartBrown, joins Dane and Rose to unpack why viability remains elusive and what must change to rebuild confidence.

They discuss the true cost of building sustainable homes, the role of the new accommodation supplement, and how smaller, regional providers can survive as compliance and consolidation rise.

A clear-eyed look at the numbers, the policy gaps, and what it will take to make aged care genuinely sustainable.

Australia&rsquo;s aged care sector has been in the red for a decade, with more than half of homes losing money. Stuart Hutcheon, Managing Partner at StewartBrown, joins Dane and Rose to unpack why viability remains elusive and what must change to rebuild confidence.
They discuss the true cost of building sustainable homes, the role of the new accommodation supplement, and how smaller, regional providers can survive as compliance and consolidation rise.
A clear-eyed look at the numbers, the policy gaps, and what it will take to make aged care genuinely sustainable.

Time Well Spent is a podcast exploring aged care, the NDIS, and health — through candid conversations with executives and thought leaders shaping the industry. Hosted by Dane Mitchell (Optimum Allied Health) and Rose Plater (Paynters), the show is built on authentic conversations. Each 40-60 minute episode asks bold, sometimes controversial, questions about reform, workforce, finance, design, and innovation — opening space for leaders to tell us what they really think about the industry and its future.

Time Well Spent is a podcast exploring aged care, the NDIS, and health &mdash; through candid conversations with executives and thought leaders shaping the industry. Hosted by Dane Mitchell (Optimum Allied Health) and Rose Plater (Paynters), the show is built on authentic conversations. Each 40-60 minute episode asks bold, sometimes controversial, questions about reform, workforce, finance, design, and innovation &mdash; opening space for leaders to tell us what they really think about the industry and its future.

Time Well Spent

What the Numbers Say: Inside the StewartBrown Benchmark w/ Stu Hutcheon (Ep 1)

In this deeply personal episode of Time Well Spent, co-host Rose Plater turns the microphone toward Dane Mitchell to explore the story that quietly shaped his life, values, and leadership in care.

At the heart of the conversation is Lola, Dane’s Nan, a woman of deep faith who devoted her life to raising more than 160 children as matron of a Baptist children’s home. Known simply as “Mum” to every child in her care, Lola believed that every child deserved one thing above all else: a place to call home.

Dane reflects on how Lola’s legacy shaped his family’s story, his commitment to service, and ultimately the purpose behind Time Well Spent. Together, Dane and Rose unpack how lived experience — from childhood care, to dementia journeys, to working on the frontline — informs better leadership, better design, and more humane models of aged care.

In this deeply personal episode of Time Well Spent, co-host Rose Plater turns the microphone toward Dane Mitchell to explore the story that quietly shaped his life, values, and leadership in care.
At the heart of the conversation is Lola, Dane&rsquo;s Nan, a woman of deep faith who devoted her life to raising more than 160 children as matron of a Baptist children&rsquo;s home. Known simply as &ldquo;Mum&rdquo; to every child in her care, Lola believed that every child deserved one thing above all else: a place to call home.
Dane reflects on how Lola&rsquo;s legacy shaped his family&rsquo;s story, his commitment to service, and ultimately the purpose behind Time Well Spent. Together, Dane and Rose unpack how lived experience &mdash; from childhood care, to dementia journeys, to working on the frontline &mdash; informs better leadership, better design, and more humane models of aged care.

Service, Humility, and the Quiet Work of Caring with Dane and Rose

Payroll compliance is now one of the biggest risks in aged care. Every provider, even the well-run ones, uncover errors driven by 24/7 rosters, complex Modern Awards and constant legislative change. In this episode, Dane and Rose speak with Siobhain Simpson, Partner at StuartBrown, who has audited hundreds of providers and never completed an audit without finding payroll issues.

Siobhain breaks down why errors are unavoidable, which clauses cost organisations the most, why overpayments are harder to fix than you think, and what boards should be asking to protect their organisations. She also shares how transparency builds trust, why independent checks matter, and when AI might finally take over payroll interpretation.

A must-listen for aged care and NDIS leaders navigating risk, reform and the reality of paying people right.

Payroll compliance is now one of the biggest risks in aged care. Every provider, even the well-run ones, uncover errors driven by 24/7 rosters, complex Modern Awards and constant legislative change. In this episode, Dane and Rose speak with Siobhain Simpson, Partner at StuartBrown, who has audited hundreds of providers and never completed an audit without finding payroll issues.
Siobhain breaks down why errors are unavoidable, which clauses cost organisations the most, why overpayments are harder to fix than you think, and what boards should be asking to protect their organisations. She also shares how transparency builds trust, why independent checks matter, and when AI might finally take over payroll interpretation.
A must-listen for aged care and NDIS leaders navigating risk, reform and the reality of paying people right.

Why Every Aged Care Provider Has Payroll Errors and What to Do About It with Siobhain Simpson

In this powerful episode of Time Well Spent, hosts Dane Mitchell and Rose Plater sit down with data evangelist and aged-care innovator Rob Covino, CEO MIRUS Australia, to explore how AI, automation, and predictive technology are reshaping the future of care in Australia.

Rob shares candid insights into the challenges and opportunities facing aged-care providers—from workforce fatigue and inefficient systems to the promise of AI-powered documentation, predictive deterioration modelling, and even cloned video avatars that can support behavioural de-escalation for residents living with dementia. 

In this powerful episode of Time Well Spent, hosts Dane Mitchell and Rose Plater sit down with data evangelist and aged-care innovator Rob Covino, CEO MIRUS Australia, to explore how AI, automation, and predictive technology are reshaping the future of care in Australia.
Rob shares candid insights into the challenges and opportunities facing aged-care providers&mdash;from workforce fatigue and inefficient systems to the promise of AI-powered documentation, predictive deterioration modelling, and even cloned video avatars that can support behavioural de-escalation for residents living with dementia.&nbsp;

What the Numbers Say: Inside the StewartBrown Benchmark w/ Stu Hutcheon (Ep 1)

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